Methods, systems, and devices for enhanced cell activation in a network supporting dual connectivity

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining data relating to a user equipment communicatively coupled to a first network node, the data including information regarding a data buffer associated with the user equipment, obtaining node information relating to a second network node, the node information identifying available network resources of the second network node and a coverage range of the second network node, determining, based on the information regarding the data buffer, that a status of the data buffer satisfies a condition, determining that the first network node has insufficient network resources to satisfy a network resource demand of the user equipment based on the determining that the status of the data buffer satisfies the condition, and selectively activating the second network node, based on the available network resources of the second network node and the coverage range of the second network node. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 17/095,569, filed Nov. 11, 2020. Allsections of the aforementioned application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to enhanced (e.g., data buffer-based)cell activation in a network supporting dual connectivity.

BACKGROUND

Some cellular-based networks support a dual connectivity mode ofoperation, such as E-UTRAN New Radio (NR)˜Dual Connectivity (EN-DC). Insuch networks, for example, a user equipment that is equipped withappropriate radio access technologies (RATs) can simultaneouslycommunicate with the network over an E-UTRA band and an NR band. Anetwork operator can activate the dual connectivity mode for a userequipment via blind addition. In blind addition, a master network node(e.g., a Master eNodeB, or MeNB) of one cell predefines a defaultsecondary network node (e.g., a Secondary gNodeB, or SgNB) of aneighboring cell for use with dual connectivity. If the user equipmentis within a coverage area of the secondary network node, and the userequipment attempts to attach to the secondary network node, the masternetwork node can permit the attachment. If, however, the user equipmentis not within the coverage area of the secondary network node, dualconnectivity can remain disabled, and any communication session, such asa call session associated with the user equipment, may continue via themaster network node.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an example non-limitingembodiment of a communication network or system functioning within or inconjunction with the communication network of FIG. 1A in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system functioning within or in conjunction with thecommunication network of FIG. 1A and/or the communication network ofFIG. 1B in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for a system that is capable of dynamically controlling, fora user equipment, activation and/or deactivation of one or moresecondary cells (e.g., secondary network nodes of an NR cell and/orsecondary cells (SCells), such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) carrieraggregation (CA) Scells) of a network operable in a dual connectivitymode (e.g., EN-DC), based on a status of a data buffer associated withthe user equipment and available network resources (e.g., availablebandwidth or the like) of the one or more secondary cells. Additionally,or alternatively, in some embodiments, the system is capable ofselectively activating and/or deactivating secondary cell(s) based oncoverage range(s) of the secondary cell(s), movement (or projectedmovement) of the user equipment within a cell or amongst various cells,signal strength measurement(s) associated with the secondary cell(s),and/or Quality of Service (QoS) requirements associated with the userequipment.

Activating secondary cell(s) that actually provide adequate coverage fora user equipment and/or that actually have sufficient network resourcesrelative to network resource demands or needs of the user equipment, asdescribed herein, avoids any unneeded activation of secondary cell(s)that have limited coverage and/or insufficient network resources. Thisreduces or eliminates signal overhead and transmission delays, whichimproves overall network system performance and efficiency.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device,comprising a processing system including a processor, and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can includeobtaining data relating to a user equipment, where the user equipment iscommunicatively coupled to a first network node of a plurality ofnetwork nodes of a network, and where the data relating to the userequipment includes information regarding a data buffer associated withthe user equipment. Further, the operations can include obtaining nodeinformation relating to a second network node of the plurality ofnetwork nodes, where the node information identifies available networkresources of the second network node and a coverage range of the secondnetwork node. Further the operations can include determining, based onthe information regarding the data buffer, that a status of the databuffer satisfies a condition, determining that the first network nodehas insufficient network resources to satisfy a network resource demandof the user equipment based on the determining that the status of thedata buffer satisfies the condition, and selectively activating thesecond network node, based on the available network resources of thesecond network node and the coverage range of the second network node,responsive to the determining that the first network node hasinsufficient network resources to satisfy the network resource demand ofthe user equipment.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablestorage device, comprising executable instructions that, when executedby a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations. The operations can include receiving data relating to a userequipment, where the user equipment is communicatively coupled to afirst network node of a plurality of network nodes of a network, andwhere the data relating to the user equipment includes a signal strengthmeasurement associated with a second network node of the plurality ofnetwork nodes and information regarding a data buffer associated withthe user equipment. Further, the operations can include receiving nodeinformation relating to the second network node, where the nodeinformation identifies available network resources of the second networknode. Further, the operations can include determining, based on theinformation regarding the data buffer, that a status of the data buffersatisfies a condition, determining that the first network node hasinsufficient network resources to satisfy a network resource demand ofthe user equipment based on the determining that the status of the databuffer satisfies the condition, and selectively activating the secondnetwork node, based on the signal strength measurement associated withthe second network node and the available network resources of thesecond network node, responsive to the determining that the firstnetwork node has insufficient network resources to satisfy the networkresource demand of the user equipment.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method. Themethod can comprise obtaining, by a processing system including aprocessor, data relating to a user equipment, where the user equipmentis communicatively coupled to a first network node of a plurality ofnetwork nodes of a network, and where the data relating to the userequipment includes a signal strength measurement associated with asecond network node of the plurality of network nodes, informationidentifying a projected movement of the user equipment, and informationregarding a data buffer associated with the user equipment. Further, themethod can include obtaining, by the processing system, node informationrelating to the second network node, where the node informationidentifies available network resources of the second network node and acoverage range of the second network node. Further, the method caninclude determining, by the processing system, and based on theinformation regarding the data buffer, that a status of the data buffersatisfies a condition, and determining, by the processing system, thatthe first network node has insufficient network resources to satisfy anetwork resource need of the user equipment based on the determiningthat the status of the data buffer satisfies the condition. Further, themethod can include selectively activating, by the processing system, thesecond network node responsive to the determining that the first networknode has insufficient network resources to satisfy the network resourceneed of the user equipment, where the selectively activating the secondnetwork node is based on the signal strength measurement associated withthe second network node, the information identifying the projectedmovement of the user equipment, the available network resources of thesecond network node, and the coverage range of the second network node.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communication network or system100 in accordance with various aspects described herein. For example,the communication system 100 can facilitate in whole or in part dynamiccontrol, for a user equipment, of activation and/or deactivation of oneor more secondary cells (e.g., secondary network nodes of an NR celland/or Scells, such as LTE-CA Scells) of a network operable in a dualconnectivity mode (e.g., EN-DC) based on network resource needs of theuser equipment and available network resources (e.g., availablebandwidth or the like) of the one or more secondary cells.

The communications network 125 provides broadband access 110 to aplurality of data terminals 114 via access terminal 112, wireless access120 to a plurality of mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126 via basestation or access point 122, voice access 130 to a plurality oftelephony devices 134, via switching device 132 and/or media access 140to a plurality of audio/video display devices 144 via media terminal142. In addition, communication network 125 is coupled to one or morecontent sources 175 of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other media.While broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130 andmedia access 140 are shown separately, one or more of these forms ofaccess can be combined to provide multiple access services to a singleclient device (e.g., mobile devices 124 can receive media content viamedia terminal 142, data terminal 114 can be provided voice access viaswitching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample non-limiting embodiment of a communication network (or system)180 functioning within or in conjunction with the system 100 of FIG. 1Ain accordance with various aspects described herein. Communicationnetwork 180 can be configured to provide Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity(MR-DC) via a radio access network (RAN) 183 that includes one or morenetwork nodes (e.g., access points, such as base stations or the like).In one example, RAN 183 can include a master node (MN) 182 and asecondary node (SN) 184. In one example, each of MN 182 and SN 184 canemploy a different radio access technology (RAT). A user equipment (UE)192 can be equipped with multiple transmitter (Tx) devices and/ormultiple receiver (Rx) devices configured to communicate with, andutilize network resources provided via, the MN 182 and the SN 184. TheMN 182 and/or the SN 184 can be operated with shared spectrum channelaccess.

One or more of the nodes 182, 184 of the RAN 183 can be in communicationwith a mobility core network 186 via a backhaul network 185. The corenetwork 186 can be in further communication with one or more othernetworks (e.g., one or more content delivery networks (one of which, CDN187 is shown)), one or more services and/or one or more devices. Thecore network 186 can include various network devices and/or systems thatprovide a variety of functions, such as mobility management, sessionmanagement, data management, user plane and/or control planefunction(s), policy control function(s), and/or the like. As shown inFIG. 1B, the core network 186 can include an Access Mobility andManagement Function (AMF) 188 configured to facilitate mobilitymanagement in a control plane of the communication network 180, and aUser Plane Function (UPF) 190 configured to provide access to a datanetwork, such as a packet data network (PDN), in a user (or data) planeof the communication network 180. The AMF 188 and the UPF 190 can eachbe implemented in one or more computing devices (e.g., one or moreserver devices or the like). In some embodiments, the core network 186can additionally, or alternatively, include one or more devicesimplementing other functions, such as a master user database serverdevice for network access management, a PDN gateway server device forfacilitating access to a PDN, a Unified Data Management (UDM) function,a Session Management Function (SMF), a Policy Control Function (PCF),and/or the like.

The MN 182 and the SN 184 can be communicatively coupled to one anothervia an Xn-C interface configured to facilitate control plane trafficbetween the MN 182 and the SN 184, and can also be communicativelycoupled to one another via an Xn-U interface configured to facilitateuser plane traffic between the MN 182 and the SN 184.

The AMF 188 can be communicatively coupled to the MN 182 via an NG-Cinterface in the control plane. In some embodiments, the AMF 188 canadditionally, or alternatively, be communicatively coupled to the SN 184via a similar interface in the control plane. The UPF 190 can becommunicatively coupled to the MN 182 via an NG-U interface in the userplane, and can be communicatively coupled to the SN 184 via a similarNG-U interface in the user plane.

Each of the MN 182 and the SN 184 can include a radio resource control(RRC) entity capable of exchanging network traffic (e.g., protocol dataunits (PDUs)) with the UE 192. In some embodiments, the UE 192 cancommunicate with the MN 182 via a Uu radio interface in an RRC protocollayer of the control plane. In some embodiments, the UE 192 can have asingle RRC state, such as a single control plane connection with thecore network 186 based on the RRC entity of the MN 182. In someembodiments, the MN 182 can facilitate control plane communicationsbetween the SN 184 and the UE 192 by, for example, transporting RRCPDUs, originating from the SN 184, to the UE 192.

The communication network 180 can provide multiple bearer types in thedata plane. For example, the bearer types can include a Master CellGroup (MCG) bearer type, a Secondary Cell Group (SCG) bearer type, and asplit bearer type. Depending on the RATs employed by the MN 182 and theSN 184, various packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) configurationscan be implemented for the different bearer types. Thus, in variousembodiments, each bearer type (e.g., the MCG bearer type, the SCG bearertype, and the split bearer type) can be terminated either in the MN 182or in the SN 184.

In some embodiments, the communication network 180 can be configured toprovide dual connectivity according to an E-UTRAN New Radio (NR) DualConnectivity (EN-DC) configuration. In some embodiments, the EN-DCconfiguration can provide a 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) implementation. Inone example (related to a 5G NSA implementation), an LTE radio and thecore network 186 can be utilized as an anchor for mobility managementand coverage for an additional 5G (or NR) carrier. Network traffic canbe split in a variety of manners, such as across LTE and NR at aneNodeB, at the core network 186, and/or at an NR cell.

In embodiments in which the communication network 180 is configured toprovide the EN-DC configuration, the MN 182 can include a master eNodeB(MeNB) that provides E-UTRAN access, and the SN 184 can include anen-gNodeB (en-gNB) that provides NR access. The core network 186 can be(or can include) an evolved packet core (EPC), where the AMF 188 isimplemented as a mobility management entity (MME) and the UPF 190 isimplemented as a serving gateway (SGW). The core network 186 can includeone or more devices that implement one or more functions, such as a HomeSubscriber Server (HSS) for managing user access, a PDN gateway serverdevice for facilitating access to a PDN, and/or the like.

In an EN-DC configuration, the MN (MeNB) 182 and the SN (en-gNB) 184 canbe communicatively coupled to one another via an X2-C interface in thecontrol plane, and via an X2-U interface in the user plane. The AMF(MME) 188 can be communicatively coupled to the MN (MeNB) 182 via anS1-MME interface in the control plane. In some embodiments, the AMF(MME) 188 can additionally, or alternatively, be communicatively coupledto the SN (en-gNB) 184 via a similar interface in the control plane. TheUPF (SGW) 190 can be communicatively coupled to the MN (MeNB) 182 via anS1-U interface in the user plane, and can also be communicativelycoupled to the SN (en-gNB) 184 via a similar S1-U interface in the userplane, to facilitate data transfer for the UE 192.

In the EN-DC configuration, the MeNB can include an E-UTRA version of anRRC entity and the en-gNB can include an NR version of an RRC entity.Additionally, in the EN-DC configuration, an E-UTRA PDCP or an NR PDCPcan be configured for MeNB terminated MCG bearer types, and an NR PDCPcan be configured for all other bearer types.

In some embodiments of the EN-DC configuration, the AMF (MME) 188 cancommunicate exclusively with the MN (MeNB) 182, but both the MeNB andthe en-gNB can access the core network (e.g., EPC) 186. In variousembodiments, data traffic can be split between the LTE and NR RATs 182,184, but where the MN (MeNB) 182 maintains sole control of the dualconnectivity mode of the communication network 180. The UE 192 canaccess the core network (e.g., EPC) 186 by establishing a connectionwith the MN (MeNB) 182. If the UE 192 supports EN-DC and is capable ofcommunicating in the NR band (e.g., if the UE 192 includes an LTEcommunication unit, such as an LTE Rx/Tx radio and protocol stack, andan NR communication unit, such as an NR Rx/Tx radio and protocol stack),the MN (MeNB) 182 can instruct the UE 192 to obtain measurements of, andprovide measurement report(s) on, the NR band. In a case where the UE192 identifies a candidate network node in the NR band, such as the SN(en-gNB) 184, the MN (MeNB) 182 can communicate one or more parametersto the en-gNB (e.g., via the X2-C interface) to enable the en-gNB toestablish a connection with the UE 192. Upon establishing such aconnection, the MN (MeNB) 182 can then forward a portion of any incominguser data, directed for the UE 192, to the SN (en-gNB) 184 fortransmission to the UE 192, thereby enabling the UE 192 tosimultaneously communicate over LTE and NR to achieve increased datarates. In some embodiments, the MN (MeNB) 182 can request, or otherwise,instruct, the UPF (SGW) 190 to exchange user data directly with the SN(en-gNB) 184. In such embodiments, the en-gNB can similarly forward aportion of any incoming user data, directed for the UE 192, to the MeNBfor transmission to the UE 192.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the communication network 180 can include acomputing device 194 communicatively coupled with the MN 182. Thecomputing device 194 can include one or more devices, such as serverdevice(s), configured to provide one or more functions or capabilities,such as dual connectivity control functions, edge computing functionsand/or capabilities, provisioning of data and/or services for userequipment (e.g., such as UE 192), data analytics function(s), machinelearning and/or artificial intelligence function(s) that provideresource management capabilities (e.g., mobility management, admissioncontrol, interference management, etc.), automatic planning functions,configuration functions, optimization functions, diagnostic functions,healing functions, and/or the like. For example, in someimplementations, the computing device 194 can include, or be implementedin, a multi-access edge computing (MEC) device or device(s), a RANIntelligent Controller (MC), a Self-Organizing Network (SON), and/or thelike. In some embodiments, such as in a case where the core network 186includes an EPC, the computing device 194 can include, or be implementedin, an MME, an SGW, and/or the like.

It is to be understood and appreciated that the quantity and arrangementof nodes, devices, and networks shown in FIG. 1B are provided as anexample. In practice, there may be additional nodes, devices, and/ornetworks, fewer nodes, devices, and/or networks, different nodes,devices, and/or networks, or differently arranged nodes, devices, and/ornetworks than those shown in FIG. 1B. For example, the communicationnetwork 180 can include more or fewer MNs 182, SNs 184, AMF device(s)188, UPF device(s) 190, UE's 192, computing devices 194, core networks186, etc. Furthermore, two or more nodes or devices shown in FIG. 1B maybe implemented within a single node or device, or a single node ordevice shown in FIG. 1B may be implemented as multiple, distributednodes or devices. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of nodes ordevices (e.g., one or more nodes or devices) of the communicationnetwork 180 may perform one or more functions described as beingperformed by another set of nodes or devices of the communicationnetwork 180.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a network system 200 that is operable in a dualconnectivity mode (e.g., EN-DC). The network system 200 can provide aradio access network (RAN) that leverages multiple radio accesstechnologies (RATs). The network system 200 can be capable ofdynamically, or selectively, controlling, for a user equipment,activation and/or deactivation of one or more secondary cells (e.g.,secondary network nodes of an NR cell and/or Scells, such as LTE-CAScells) of a network operable in a dual connectivity mode (e.g., EN-DC)based on network resource needs of the user equipment, available networkresources (e.g., available bandwidth or the like) of the one or moresecondary cells, and/or coverage provided by the one or more secondarycells. The network system 200 can function in, or in conjunction with,various communication systems and networks including the communicationnetwork 100 of FIG. 1A and/or the communication network 180 of FIG. 1Bin accordance with various aspects described herein.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the network system 200 can include network nodes210 and 215 (e.g., access points, such as base stations or the like)employing a first radio access technology, and network nodes 220 and 225employing a second radio access technology. In various embodiments, thenetwork node 210 can be a master network node (e.g., an MeNB) includedin a primary cell (Pcell), and the network node 215 can be a secondarynetwork node (e.g., an eNB) included in an Scell, where both of thenetwork nodes 210 and 215 may be included as part of a Master Cell Group(MCG) of the RAN. In various embodiments, the network node 220 can beincluded in a primary cell (e.g., an NR primary cell or Pcell) and thenetwork node 225 can be included in a secondary cell (e.g., an NRsecondary cell or Scell), where both of the network nodes 220 and 225may be included as part of a Secondary Cell Group (SCG) of the RAN. Invarious embodiments, the network system 200 can include variousquantities of cells (e.g., Pcells and/or Scells), various quantities ofnetwork nodes in a cell, and/or various types of network nodes and/orcells.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the network system 200 can include a user equipment230. The user equipment 230 can include, for example, one or more dataterminals 114, one or more mobile devices 124, one or more vehicles 126,one or more display devices 144, or one or more other client devices.The network system 200 can also include a core network 240. In variousembodiments, the core network 240 can include an evolved packet core(EPC) or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the network system 200 can include a controllerdevice 250 that is communicatively coupled to the network node 210. Invarious embodiments, the controller device 250 can include, or otherwisecorrespond to, the computing device 194 of the communication network 180described above. In various embodiments, the controller device 250 canbe implemented in a centralized network hub or node device at, orproximate to, an edge of a network provider's (e.g., a cellular networkprovider's) overall network. In some embodiments, the controller device250 can be implemented in a multi-access edge computing (MEC) device ordevices. As the name/nomenclature implies, a MEC device may reside at alocation that is at, or proximate, to an edge of the network system 200,which may be useful in reducing (e.g., minimizing) delays associatedwith provisioning of data or services to one or more (requesting)devices. In some embodiments, the controller device 250 canadditionally, or alternatively, be implemented in a Self-OrganizingNetwork (SON) or other similar network that provides automatic planningfunctions, configuration functions, optimization functions, diagnosticfunctions, and/or healing functions for a network. In some embodiments,the controller device 250 can additionally, or alternatively, beimplemented in a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) or other similardevice or device(s) that leverages data analytics and machine learningand/or artificial intelligence to provide resource managementcapabilities, such as mobility management, admission control, andinterference management, at an edge of a network. In variousembodiments, the controller device 250 may be implemented in one or moredevices included in the core network 240. For example, in a case wherethe core network 240 includes an EPC, the controller device 250 caninclude, or be implemented, in a mobility management entity (MIME)gateway, a serving gateway (SGW), and/or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2A, and as shown by reference number 260, thecontroller device 250 can obtain data relating to the user equipment230. In some embodiments, the controller device 250 can obtain the datavia the network node 210. As shown by reference number 260 a, the datacan include information regarding a data buffer associated with the userequipment 230, information identifying movement, or projected movement,of the user equipment 230, signal strength measurement(s) associatedwith neighboring or nearby network nodes (such as the network nodes 210,215, 220, and/or 225), QoS requirements associated with the userequipment 230, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the data buffer can be located in, or otherwiseaccessible to, the network node 210 and/or one or more server devicesincluded in the core network 240. For example, the data buffer caninclude a Layer 2 (L2) data buffer configured to temporarily store datapackets to and/or from the user equipment 230.

In some embodiments, the information identifying movement, or projectedmovement, of the user equipment 230 can include information identifying,or otherwise permitting inference of, a current location of the userequipment 230, a direction of movement of the user equipment 230, aspeed of travel of the user equipment 230, a trajectory of the userequipment 230, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the controllerdevice 250 can be configured to perform a trajectory analysis of theuser equipment 230 to predict a future location of the user equipment230 based on the current location, speed of travel, direction of travel,and/or the like of the user equipment 230, based on historical locationinformation relating to the user equipment 230 and/or other userequipment, based on behavior information relating to the user equipment230 and/or other user equipment, and so on.

In various embodiments, the data relating to the user equipment 230 caninclude measurement reports, including the signal strengthmeasurement(s), provided by the user equipment 230. For example, thenetwork node 210 can exchange measurement information with the userequipment 230 (e.g., B1 measurements, such as LTE and/or inter-radioaccess technology (RAT) measurements). The user equipment 230 can, basedon the exchange(s), identify neighboring cells (e.g., LTE-CA Scellsand/or NR Pcell(s) or NR Scell(s)), that provide sufficient signalstrength, and transmit measurement report(s) (e.g., B1 measurementreport(s), including physical cell identifiers (PCIs), signal strengthor power levels, and/or the like) to the network node 210 regarding theidentified neighboring cells. In some embodiments, the controller device250 can command the user equipment 230 to periodically providemeasurement reports concerning nearby cells. In this way, the controllerdevice 250 can identify candidate, or potentially eligible, cells thatcan be activated so as to provide dual connectivity for the userequipment 230.

In various embodiments, the data relating to the user equipment 230 caninclude one or more QoS class identifiers (QCIs) with associatedpriority values for various service types (e.g., services related tovoice, video, etc.) and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the data relating to the user equipment 230 caninclude information identifying capabilities of the user equipment 230.In some embodiments, the information can identify whether the userequipment 230 is equipped with RAT components (e.g., receivers,transmitters, transceivers, etc.) that support dual connectivity (e.g.,information regarding support for LTE-CA and NR band combinations). Invarious embodiments, the data relating to the user equipment 230 caninclude information regarding an identity of the user equipment,physical layer properties of the user equipment, signal round trip times(RTT), and/or the like. In some embodiments, the information can beindicative of a distance between the user equipment 230 and an accesspoint, such as one of the network nodes 210, 215, 220, and 225. As anexample, the information can include timing advance data, which mayindicate a time or duration of travel of communications, between theuser equipment 230 and the access point, that can be used to determine adistance between the user equipment 230 and the access point.

As shown by reference number 262, the controller device 250 can obtainnode information relating to the network nodes 210, 215, 220, and/or225. As shown by reference number 262 a, the node information caninclude information identifying available network resources (e.g.,available bandwidth or the like) of some or all (e.g., each) of thenetwork nodes 210, 215, 220, and/or 225 (or corresponding cells),information identifying a coverage range (and/or an estimated coveragerange) of some or all (e.g., each) of the network nodes 210, 215, 220,and/or 225, and/or information identifying a throughput of some or all(e.g., each) of the network nodes 210, 215, 220, and/or 225 (which can,for example, also be used to determine available bandwidth). In variousembodiments, information identifying the coverage range of a networknode can include map data that specifies a network coverage range (e.g.,in distance) for that network node.

In some embodiments, the controller device 250 can process the nodeinformation to classify, or otherwise aggregate properties for, some orall (e.g., each) of the network nodes 210, 215, 220, and/or 225. Forexample, the controller device 250 can identify, based on the nodeinformation relating to the network node 215 (e.g., corresponding to anLTE-Scell-F3), that the network node 215 has about 3.5 megahertz (MHz)of available bandwidth, an estimated throughput of about 2.5 mega-bitsper second (Mbps), and an estimated coverage range of about 3 kilometers(KM). As another example, the controller device 250 can identify, basedon the node information relating to the network node 220 (e.g.,corresponding to an NR—F1 cell), that the network node 220 has about 10MHz of available bandwidth, an estimated throughput of about 10 Mbps,and an estimated coverage range of about 0.2 KM. As yet another example,the controller device 250 can identify, based on the node informationrelating to the network node 225 (e.g., corresponding to an NR—F2 cell),that the network node 225 has about 5 MHz of available bandwidth, anestimated throughput of about 3 Mbps, and an estimated coverage range ofabout 0.6 KM.

As shown by reference number 264, the controller device 250 candetermine, based on the information regarding the data buffer associatedwith the user equipment 230, that a status of the data buffer satisfiesa condition, which may, for example, indicate, or otherwise suggest,that the network node 210 has insufficient network resources to satisfya network resource demand of the user equipment 230. In variousembodiments, the controller device 250 can monitor an available capacityof the data buffer, data volume into and/or out of the data buffer,and/or data overflow at, or data loss by, the data buffer, and determinewhether certain condition(s) are satisfied. For example, the controllerdevice 250 can determine whether the data buffer is full or near full(e.g., whether a quantity of data packets queued in the data buffersatisfies a threshold), whether data volume into and/or out of the databuffer is high (e.g., whether a quantity of data packets flowing throughthe data buffer satisfies a threshold), whether packet loss at the databuffer is high (e.g., whether a quantity of packets being lost at thedata buffer satisfies a threshold), and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the controller device 250 can determine whether thenetwork node 210 has sufficient resources to satisfy network resourcedemand(s) of the user equipment 230 based on the status of the databuffer and/or information identifying available bandwidth of the networknode 210. For example, in a case where the controller device 250determines that an available capacity of the data buffer satisfies athreshold (e.g., is less than or equal to the threshold, or is otherwiselow, and thus the data buffer is full or near full) and/or that anavailable bandwidth of the network node 210 satisfies a relatedthreshold (e.g., is less than or equal to that threshold, or isotherwise low), the controller device 250 can determine that the networknode 210 has insufficient network resources to satisfy network resourcedemand(s) of the user equipment 230. In some embodiments, in a casewhere the network node 210 has insufficient network resources to satisfynetwork resource demand(s) of the user equipment 230, the controllerdevice 250 can determine an estimated amount of bandwidth needed tosatisfy such demand(s). In some embodiments, the controller device 250can determine the estimated amount of bandwidth needed based onthroughput estimation, such as based on a size of the data buffer (e.g.,L2 buffer size), an incoming packet rate relating to the data buffer(e.g., L2 buffer packet rate), and/or a packet drop rate relating to thedata buffer (e.g., L2 buffer packet drop rate).

As shown by reference number 266, the controller device 250 canselectively activate and/or deactivate one or more of the network nodes215, 220, and 225 based on various factors, such as network resourceneeds of the user equipment 230 (e.g., as determined based on monitoringof the data buffer), the available network resources of the networknodes, the coverage ranges of the network nodes, projected movement ofthe user equipment 230, signal strengths of the network nodes relativeto the user equipment 230, and/or QoS requirements of the user equipment230.

In various embodiments, the controller device 250 can identify a networknode as a candidate for selective activation based on theabove-described measurement report(s) provided by the user equipment 230(e.g., based on the fact that the network node is included in themeasurement report(s)). In various embodiments, the controller device250 can associate a priority level with each candidate network nodebased on one or more of the available network resources of all candidatenetwork nodes, the coverage ranges of all candidate network nodes,signal strengths of all candidate network nodes, QoS requirements of theuser equipment 230, and/or projected movement of the user equipment 230,and selectively activate one or more of the candidate network nodesbased on the priority levels. For example, the controller device 250 canassociate a higher priority level with a first network node that hasmore available network resources, has a larger coverage range, and/orprovides a higher signal strength to the user equipment 230 than with asecond network node that has less available network resources, has asmaller coverage range, and/or provides a lower signal strength to theuser equipment 230, and can selectively activate the first network node,and not the second network node, based on the respective prioritylevels. As another example, the controller device 250 can associate ahigher priority level with a first network node that can fully satisfythe QoS requirements of the user equipment 230 than with a secondnetwork node that cannot, or can only partially, satisfy the QoSrequirements, and can selectively activate the first network node, andnot the second network node, based on the respective priority levels.

In various embodiments, the controller device 250 can selectivelyactivate a network node based on one or more of the above-mentionedfactors satisfying a threshold and/or a condition. For example, thecontroller device 250 can selectively activate a network node based onthe available network resources of the network node satisfying athreshold relating to the network resource needs of the user equipment230 (e.g., is greater than or equal to the network resource needs of theuser equipment 230). As another example, the controller device 250 canselectively activate a network node based on a probability of the userequipment 230 remaining within a coverage area of the network node(e.g., according to movement, or projected movement, of the userequipment 230 identified in, or inferred, from the above-described datarelating to the user equipment 230) satisfying a threshold (e.g., isgreater than or equal to that threshold). It is to be understood andappreciated that the controller device 250 can selectively activate anetwork node based on any of these factors, such as only one of thesefactors or a combination of two or more of these factors.

As an example, and with reference to the scenarios described above withrespect to reference number 262 for the network node 215 (e.g.,LTE-Scell-F3), the network node 220 (e.g., NR—F1 cell), and the networknode 225 (e.g., NR—F2 cell), in a case where the controller device 250determines that the user equipment 230's data usage rate is about 2 Mbps(e.g., based on monitoring of the data buffer), and determines that theprobabilities of the user equipment 230 remaining within coverage rangesof the network nodes 220 and 225 are low (e.g., based on determiningthat the network nodes 220 and 225 have small coverage ranges relativeto a projected movement or trajectory of the user equipment 230) andthat the probability of the user equipment 230 remaining within thecoverage range of the network node 215 is high (e.g., based ondetermining that the network node 215 has a large coverage rangerelative to a projected movement or trajectory of the user equipment230), the controller device 250 can selectively activate the networknode 215 (e.g., LTE-Scell-F3) for the user equipment 230, and not thenetwork node 220 (e.g., NR—F1) or the network node 225 (e.g., NR—F2).

As another example, in a case where the controller device 250 determinesthat the user equipment 230's data usage rate is about 8 Mbps,determines that QoS requirements associated with the user equipment 230satisfy a threshold (e.g., are high based on a priority value, servicetype, and/or the like), and determines that the probability of the userequipment 230 remaining within the coverage range of the network node220 is high (e.g., based on projecting minimal movement of the userequipment 230), the controller device 250 can selectively activate thenetwork node 220 (e.g., NR—F1) for the user equipment 230, and not thenetwork node 215 (e.g., LTE-Scell-F3) or the network node 225 (e.g.,NR—F2).

As yet another example, in a case where the controller device 250determines that the user equipment 230's data usage rate is about 8Mbps, determines that QoS requirements associated with the userequipment 230 satisfy a threshold (e.g., are low based on a priorityvalue, service type, and/or the like), and determines that theprobability of the user equipment 230 remaining within a coverage rangeof the network node 215 is high (e.g., based on determining that thenetwork node 215 has a large coverage range relative to a projectedmovement or trajectory of the user equipment 230), the controller device250 can selectively activate the network node 215 (e.g., LTE-Scell-F3)for the user equipment 230, and not the network node 220 (e.g., NR—F1)or the network node 225 (e.g., NR—F2).

In various embodiments, the controller device 250 can periodicallyobtain updated data relating to the user equipment 230 and/or updatednode information, and based on the updated data and/or updated nodeinformation, repeat some or all of the actions described above withrespect to reference numbers 264 and/or 266. For example, in some cases,the network resource demands of the user equipment 230 can change (e.g.,as determined by monitoring of the data buffer associated with the userequipment 230), a projected movement or trajectory of the user equipment230 can change, and/or available network resources at a network node(e.g., the network nodes 210, 215, 220, and/or 225) can change. In suchcases, the controller device 250 can dynamically, or selectively,activate and/or deactivate one or more of the network nodes to ensurethat the user equipment 230 communicatively couples with one or morenetwork nodes that can provide appropriate network coverage for the userequipment 230 and sufficient network resources that meet the networkresource needs of the user equipment 230.

It is to be understood and appreciated that the above-described mannersin which the controller device 250 can dynamically, or selectively,activate or deactivate a network node (or cell) for the user equipment230 are merely examples, and that the controller device 250 canadditionally, or alternatively, dynamically, or selectively, activateand/or deactivate a network node (or cell) for the user equipment 230 inone or more other ways or based on one or more other factors orcriteria.

For example, in some embodiments, the controller device 250 canselectively activate and/or deactivate a network node for the userequipment 230 based on a comparison of a priority value associated withthe user equipment 230 and priority values associated with one or moreother user equipment. Continuing with the example, where a userequipment is associated with a higher priority (e.g., for being enrolledin a particular subscription plan), that user equipment may be permittedto connect to the network system 200 via a secondary network nodeassociated with the NR—F1 cell or the NR—F2 cell, whereas for anotheruser equipment associated with a lower priority (e.g., for beingenrolled in a different subscription plan), that user equipment may bepermitted to connect to the network system 200 via only a secondarynetwork node associated with LTE-Scell-F1, and not a secondary networknode associated with the NR—F1 cell or the NR—F2 cell.

As another example, the controller device 250 can selectively activateand/or deactivate a network node for the user equipment 230 based on anincrease in available bandwidth in one or more of the network nodes 210,215, 220, and 225. As yet another example, the controller device 250 canselectively activate and/or deactivate a network node for the userequipment 230 based on historical network traffic patterns of thenetwork nodes 210, 215, 220, and/or 225 and/or of the overall networksystem 200 (e.g., traffic patterns at, or during, certain times of day,on a certain day of a week, on a certain day of a month, on a certainday of a year, and/or the like).

It is also to be understood and appreciated that the quantity andarrangement of devices and networks shown in FIG. 2A are provided as anexample. In practice, there may be additional nodes, devices, and/ornetworks, fewer nodes, devices, and/or networks, different nodes,devices, and/or networks, or differently arranged nodes, devices, and/ornetworks than those shown in FIG. 2A. For example, the network system200 can include more or fewer network nodes 210, network nodes 215,network nodes 220, network nodes 225, user equipment 230, core networks240, controller devices 250, etc. Furthermore, two or more nodes ordevices shown in FIG. 2A may be implemented within a single node ordevice, or a single node or device shown in FIG. 2A may be implementedas multiple, distributed nodes or devices. Additionally, oralternatively, a set of nodes or devices (e.g., one or more nodes ordevices) of the network system 200 may perform one or more functionsdescribed as being performed by another set of nodes or devices of thenetwork system 200.

FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 270 in accordancewith various aspects described herein. In some embodiments, one or moreprocess blocks of FIG. 2B can be performed by a controller device, suchas the controller device 250. In some embodiments, one or more processblocks of FIG. 2B may be performed by another device or a group ofdevices separate from or including the controller device, such as thenetwork node 210, the network node 215, the network node 220, thenetwork node 225, the core network 240, and/or the user equipment 230.

At 272, the method can include obtaining data relating to a userequipment, where the user equipment is communicatively coupled to afirst network node of a plurality of network nodes of a network, andwhere the data includes information regarding a data buffer associatedwith the user equipment. For example, the controller device 250 canobtain data relating to the user equipment 230 in a manner similar tothat described above with respect to the network system 200 of FIG. 2A,where the user equipment 230 is communicatively coupled to the networknode 210 of the network system 200, and where the data includesinformation regarding a data buffer (e.g., an L2 buffer or the like)associated with the user equipment 230. In various embodiments, the datarelating to the user equipment 230 can include signal strengthmeasurement(s) associated with neighboring network nodes (e.g., thenetwork nodes 215, 220, and/or 225), information identifying movement,or projected movement, of the user equipment 230, QoS requirementsassociated with the user equipment 230, or a combination thereof.

At 274, the method can include obtaining node information relating to asecond network node of the plurality of network nodes, where the nodeinformation identifies available network resources of the second networknode and a coverage range of the second network node. As an example, thecontroller device 250 can obtain node information relating to one of thenetwork nodes 215, 220, and 225 in a manner similar to that describedabove with respect to the network system 200 of FIG. 2A, where the nodeinformation identifies available network resources of the one of thenetwork nodes 215, 220, and 225 and a coverage range of the one of thenetwork nodes 215, 220, and 225. In some embodiments, the nodeinformation can identify a throughput of the network node. In variousembodiments, the controller device 250 can obtain node information foradditional network nodes, such as some or all of the network nodes 215,220, and 225. In some embodiments, the controller device 250 candetermine node metrics for, or otherwise classify, the network nodesbased on the node information.

At 276, the method can include determining, based on the informationregarding the data buffer, whether a status of the data buffer satisfiesa condition. For example, the controller device 250 can determine, basedon the information regarding the data buffer, whether a status of thedata buffer satisfies a condition in a manner similar to that describedabove with respect to the network system 200 of FIG. 2A.

If the status of the data buffer does not satisfy the condition, thenthe method can return to block 272. In some embodiments, the method canalternatively return to block 274 or 276. If the status of the databuffer satisfies the condition, then, at 278, the method can includeselectively activating the second network node based on the availablenetwork resources of the second network node and the coverage range ofthe second network node. For example, the controller device 250 canselectively activate the one of the network nodes 215, 220, and 225based on the available network resources of the one of the network nodes215, 220, and 225 and the coverage range of the one of the network nodes215, 220, and 225 in a manner similar to that described above withrespect to the network system 200 of FIG. 2A.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2B, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, communication network 180, the subsystems and functions ofnetwork system 200 and method 270 presented in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B.For example, virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate inwhole or in part dynamic control, for a user equipment, of activationand/or deactivation of one or more secondary cells (e.g., secondarynetwork nodes of an NR cell and/or Scells, such as LTE-CA Scells) of anetwork operable in a dual connectivity mode (e.g., EN-DC) based onnetwork resource needs of the user equipment and available networkresources (e.g., available bandwidth or the like) of the one or moresecondary cells.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1A),such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP—VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part dynamic control, for a user equipment, ofactivation and/or deactivation of one or more secondary cells (e.g.,secondary network nodes of an NR cell and/or Scells, such as LTE-CAScells) of a network operable in a dual connectivity mode (e.g., EN-DC)based on network resource needs of the user equipment and availablenetwork resources (e.g., available bandwidth or the like) of the one ormore secondary cells.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4, the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part dynamic control, for a user equipment, of activationand/or deactivation of one or more secondary cells (e.g., secondarynetwork nodes of an NR cell and/or Scells, such as LTE-CA Scells) of anetwork operable in a dual connectivity mode (e.g., EN-DC) based onnetwork resource needs of the user equipment and available networkresources (e.g., available bandwidth or the like) of the one or moresecondary cells.

In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generateand receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or accesspoints such as base station or access point 122. Generally, mobilenetwork platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways,interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate bothpacket-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic(e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networkedwireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile networkplatform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks, andcan be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein.Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticatetraffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CSgateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generatedthrough SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visitedlocation register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CSgateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PSgateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gatewaynode(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specificoperation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and servingnode(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilizedby mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio accessnetwork 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1Athat enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,communication device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part dynamiccontrol, for a user equipment, of activation and/or deactivation of oneor more secondary cells (e.g., secondary network nodes of an NR celland/or SCells, such as LTE-CA Scells) of a network operable in a dualconnectivity mode (e.g., EN-DC) based on network resource needs of theuser equipment and available network resources (e.g., availablebandwidth or the like) of the one or more secondary cells.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, xn), toa confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/orstatistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilitiesand costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desires to beautomatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example ofa classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding ahypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which the hypersurfaceattempts to split the triggering criteria from the non-triggeringevents. Intuitively, this makes the classification correct for testingdata that is near, but not identical to training data. Other directedand undirected model classification approaches comprise, e.g., naïveBayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logicmodels, and probabilistic classification models providing differentpatterns of independence can be employed. Classification as used hereinalso is inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to developmodels of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: obtaining data relating to a userequipment, wherein the user equipment is communicatively coupled to afirst network node of a plurality of network nodes of a network, andwherein the data relating to the user equipment includes informationregarding a data buffer associated with the user equipment; determining,based on the information regarding the data buffer, that a status of thedata buffer satisfies a condition; determining that the first networknode has insufficient network resources to satisfy a network resourcedemand of the user equipment based on the determining that the status ofthe data buffer satisfies the condition; and responsive to thedetermining that the first network node has insufficient networkresources to satisfy the network resource demand of the user equipment,selectively deactivating the first network node for the user equipment,wherein the selectively deactivating is based on node information thatidentifies available network resources of a second network node and acoverage range of the second network node.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the data relating to the user equipment further includesinformation identifying a projected movement of the user equipment, andwherein the selectively deactivating the first network node is furtherbased on the projected movement of the user equipment.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the data relating to the user equipment furtherincludes quality of service (QoS) requirements associated with the userequipment, and wherein the determining that the first network node hasinsufficient network resources to satisfy the network resource demand ofthe user equipment is further based on the QoS requirements.
 4. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise obtainingadditional node information, and wherein the additional node informationrelates to a third network node of the plurality of network nodes andidentifies available network resources of the third network node and acoverage range of the third network node.
 5. The device of claim 4,wherein the selectively deactivating the first network node is furtherbased on the available network resources of the third network node andthe coverage range of the third network node.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise determining one of a change inthe available network resources of the second network node or a changein the coverage range of the second network node.
 7. The device of claim1, wherein the data relating to the user equipment further includes asignal strength measurement associated with the second network node, andwherein the selectively deactivating the first network node is furtherbased on the signal strength measurement.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the available network resources of the second network nodecomprises available bandwidth.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein thedetermining that the status of the data buffer satisfies the conditioncomprises determining that an available capacity of the data buffer isless than or equal to a threshold.
 10. A non-transitory machine-readablestorage device, comprising executable instructions that, when executedby a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations comprising: receiving data relating to a user equipment,wherein the user equipment is communicatively coupled to a first networknode of a plurality of network nodes of a network, and wherein the datarelating to the user equipment includes a signal strength measurementassociated with a second network node of the plurality of network nodesand information regarding a data buffer associated with the userequipment; determining, based on the information regarding the databuffer, that a status of the data buffer satisfies a condition;determining that the first network node has insufficient networkresources to satisfy a network resource demand of the user equipmentbased on the determining that the status of the data buffer satisfiesthe condition; and responsive to the determining that the first networknode has insufficient network resources to satisfy the network resourcedemand of the user equipment, selectively deactivating the first networknode for the user equipment, wherein the selectively deactivating isbased on the signal strength measurement associated with the secondnetwork node and based on node information that identifies availablenetwork resources of the second network node.
 11. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the data buffer islocated in the first network node or in a core network.
 12. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein thenetwork is operable in a dual connectivity mode.
 13. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the first networknode employs a first radio access technology, and wherein the secondnetwork node employs a second radio access technology that is differentfrom the first radio access technology.
 14. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the first networknode and the second network node employ the same radio accesstechnology.
 15. The non-transitory machine-readable storage device ofclaim 10, wherein the available network resources of the second networknode comprises available bandwidth.
 16. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the first networknode is a master network node in a Master Cell Group (MCG) of thenetwork, and wherein the second network node is one of a secondarynetwork node in the MCG or a primary network node in a Secondary CellGroup (SCG).
 17. A method, comprising: obtaining, by a processing systemincluding a processor, data relating to a user equipment, wherein theuser equipment is communicatively coupled to a first network node of aplurality of network nodes of a network, and wherein the data relatingto the user equipment includes a signal strength measurement associatedwith a second network node of the plurality of network nodes,information identifying a projected movement of the user equipment, andinformation regarding a data buffer associated with the user equipment;determining, by the processing system, and based on the informationregarding the data buffer, that a status of the data buffer satisfies acondition; determining, by the processing system, that the first networknode has insufficient network resources to satisfy a network resourceneed of the user equipment based on the determining that the status ofthe data buffer satisfies the condition; and selectively deactivating,by the processing system, the first network node for the user equipmentresponsive to the determining that the first network node hasinsufficient network resources to satisfy the network resource need ofthe user equipment, wherein the selectively deactivating the firstnetwork node is based on the signal strength measurement associated withthe second network node, based on the information identifying theprojected movement of the user equipment, and based on node informationthat identifies available network resources of the second network nodeand a coverage range of the second network node.
 18. The method of claim17, wherein the determining that the status of the data buffer satisfiesthe condition comprises determining that the data buffer is overflowing.19. The method of claim 17, wherein the data relating to the userequipment further includes quality of service (QoS) requirementsassociated with the user equipment, and wherein the determining that thefirst network node has insufficient network resources to satisfy thenetwork resource need of the user equipment is further based on the QoSrequirements.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the available networkresources of the second network node comprises available bandwidth.